Improved last



SAMUEL MAWHINNEY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 89,229, dated Apr/l 20, 1869.

IMPROVED LAST.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part or' the same.

Know all men by these presents That I, SAMUEL MAWHINNEY, ofthe city and county of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lasts; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to tlie'accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a last with my present improvements applied thereto;

Figure 2 represents alongitudinal central section of the rear part of the last shown in fig. l;

Figure 3 represents a top view of the flanged quill D;

Figure 4 represents a side view of the device shown in g. 3; and

Figure 5 represents a side and top view of the locking-piece.

To enable those skilled in the art to which. my invention belongs, to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe it more in detail.

The nature of my invention consists- First, in the combination, with the rear ofthe last, of a peculiarly-constructed shield for protecting the wooden part of the last from injury by the jack-spindle during the operation of peggng the shoe or boot;

second, in the combination, with the stationary and detachable parts of the last, of a locking-device, as hereafter explained; and third, in the combination, with the locking-device, of a spring for retaining the locking-device more securely in place.

ln the drawings, the stationary or main part of the last-A and detachable part B maybe made in the usual form and manner.

The hole O, in the rear upper part of the part A, is made large enough to receive the metal quill D, on the upper end of which is cast a curved flange, E.

The latter may have one or more metallic spurs, a, cast upon its under side, and I prefer, in many cases, to have four spurs, a, cast on the under side of each projection, or ange E,.one near each corner.

The spurs a being embedded in the wood, not only tend to retain 'the quill D firmly in place, but at the same time prevent the accidental splitting of the rear part of the last by any sudden lateral strain of the jack-spindle.

If preferred, the flange D may rest upon the top of the heel part ofthe last, instead of being set -down flush with the top thereof, as shown in figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It is often the case that the detachable part B of the last works up o ut of place during the operation of lasting and securing the soles, thus materially varying the size and shape ofthe shoe. To guard against this difficulty, I recess ont, in dovetail form, the front part of the projection E, and apply a locking-piece, F, which can be slippedfbrward into a notch or recess cut in the detachable piece B, all as fully indicated in the drawings.

It will be noticed that with the devices combined as above described, it is impossible for the part B to become detached or move back, since the stop F holds it firmly in place,while the jack-spindle, in a measure, retains the parts in a locked position.

A spiral spring, b, may be inserted in the last, under the locking-piece F, if preferred, to impart friction thereto, and thus add an additional guard to prevent displacement of the parts.

When it is desired to remove the part B, the locking-piece F can be slipped back out of the notch in the part B.

It will be observed that the flange E is applied to the last in such a manner that the sides ofthe last are left smooth, and thus the objection to the metal strap which has heretofore been used is entirely' obviated. rEhe ends of said strap being fastened by screws or nails to the sides of the last, are a constant source of annoyance.

Having described my improvements in lasts,

What I claim therein as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The metal quill D, provided with the flange E, in combination with the rear part of the last, substantially` as set forth.

2. The combination, with the fiange E, of one or more spurs, a., as and' for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with the iange E, of the locking-piece F, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. rllhe combination, with the part A of the last and the locking-piece F, of the spiral spring b, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l

SAMUEL MAWHINNEY,

Witnesses:

GEOJEi. MILLER, D. L. MILLER. 

